Recognizing Syphilis

Syphilis is an STD

Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is among the most common STDs in the world today. It ranks third, and many people are hoping to reduce the number of syphilis victims with the introduction of more potent antibiotics.

Syphilis has four stages

There are four stages of syphilis. Once a person gets infected with the syphilis bacteria, he will go through each stage, which lasts for several weeks, until the right treatment is applied. They are:

The first or primary stage of syphilis happens when a person manifests a small sore known as a chancre. Chancres appear in the area where the syphilis bacteria entered the body. They are commonly found on the genitals, mouth, or anus. They last for between four and six weeks and then disappear. Their disappearance does not mean that a syphilis-infected individual has been cured. It just means that the person is progressing onto the next stage of syphilis.

The second stage of syphilis kicks in at least two weeks after the chancres disappearance. At this stage, other symptoms of syphilis will start to show including a flat papule known as condylomata lata in the corners of the mouth, genitals, or anus.

The third stage of syphilis, also known as the latent stage, happens next. At this stage, a syphilis patient does not show visible symptoms of the disease. It may last for several years.

The final stage of syphilis is the most alarming of them all. It is the time when various complications arise. At this stage, the patient may experience joint inflammations, CNS disorders, bone disorders, heart valve disorders, aneurysms, and other illnesses that affect the various organs of the body.

Syphilis tests

As soon as you suspect that you may have contracted syphilis, you are strongly encouraged to get a syphilis test. As soon as you develop a chancre, you have to go out and get tested for syphilis. There is no reason to wait. Syphilis is highly contagious so it is necessary that it should be stopped before it victimizes more people.

You can visit your doctor and have yourself tested for syphilis. Blood samples and other bodily fluid samples are required when undergoing a syphilis test. Laboratories usually look for traces of the syphilis bacteria in these samples in order to tell whether a person has syphilis or not. If you test positive for syphilis, your doctor will prescribe you with an antibiotic treatment that can help get rid of the infection immediately.